Politics Friday

Minnesota Public Radio

4.5 (41)
GOVERNMENT
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Weekly updates from Brian Bakst and the Minnesota Public Radio newsroom staff covering politics in Minnesota.

9H AGO

Politics Friday: Amy Klobuchar lays out plans in her DFL governor's campaign

The Legislature will end its session this month. Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up. The political parties both hold late-May endorsing conventions. DFLers meet in Rochester while Republicans assemble in Duluth. There are choices in the major races — governor and U.S. Senate — but the gatherings of activists can be unpredictable. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and Capitol correspondent Dana Ferguson map out the session so far and where it could head next. And several immigrants in Minnesota are asking the state to pardon criminal convictions that could result in their deportation, an MPR News producer explains the situation. Then two politics reporters come by to discuss what they are seeing and hearing about the top-of-the-ballot races in Minnesota. Guests: Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.Alanna Elder is a producer for “Minnesota Now” on MPR News.J. Patrick Coolican is a editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.Walker Orenstein is a political reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

49 min
MAY 1

Politics Friday: Taking stock of Minnesota's session, campaign as May decision points near

The Legislature will end its session this month. Lawmakers don’t have a choice; the Minnesota Constitution requires them to wrap it up. The political parties both hold late-May endorsing conventions. DFLers meet in Rochester while Republicans assemble in Duluth. There are choices in the major races — governor and U.S. Senate — but the gatherings of activists can be unpredictable. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and Capitol correspondent Dana Ferguson map out the session so far and where it could head next. And several immigrants in Minnesota are asking the state to pardon criminal convictions that could result in their deportation, an MPR News producer explains the situation. Then two politics reporters come by to discuss what they are seeing and hearing about the top-of-the-ballot races in Minnesota. Guests: Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.Alanna Elder is a producer for “Minnesota Now” on MPR News.J. Patrick Coolican is a editor-in-chief of the Minnesota Reformer.Walker Orenstein is a political reporter for the Minnesota Star Tribune.

49 min
APR 24

Will Michele Tafoya's public profile transfer to politics?

There’s an open seat in the U.S. Senate, and Republicans are trying to do something they haven’t since 2006: Win a statewide election. Both parties are working to figure out their nominees for November. Veteran sports broadcaster Michele Tafoya is taking the political plunge, and if she succeeds she might be one of the more recognizable U.S. senators. Can Tafoya overcome what’s shaping up as a tough environment for Republicans? If she does, what would Tafoya do in Washington? MPR politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Tafoya about what led her to run and what it will take to win in November. Then, the view from some political strategists on how they see the legislative session wrapping up and the fall campaign shaping up. Guests: Michele Tafoya is a former sport broadcaster and Republican running for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat.Abou Amara is a DFL political analyst and Twin Cities attorney.Preya Samsundar is a GOP political analyst and a campaign consultant.Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.Torey Van Oot is reporter for Axios Twin Cities covering Minnesota politics. Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

51 min
APR 17

Keeping up with the legal jousting between state, federal governments

Minnesota is suing — and has been sued — a lot. There are cases over health care funding, immigration, clean energy policy, election laws, tariffs, diversity policies and much more. Playing point for much of it: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. He’s teamed up with Democratic attorneys general in other states for some of the litigation and has gone solo in other cases. Closer to home, he’s in negotiations with the Legislature over ways to beef up fraud investigations and prosecutions. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with Keith Ellison. Later in broadcast, a breakdown on the debate over data centers. We’ll get a look at the projects across the state to build more of the information warehouses are getting pushback. Guests: Minnesota Attorney General Keith EllisonDan Kraker, correspondent for MPR News based in Duluth Kirsti Marohn, correspondent for MPR News based in Collegeville Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR NewsPeter Cox, correspondent for MPR News Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

50 min
APR 10

High tensions at the Capitol as lawmakers tick down the to-do list

The pace will crank up at the Minnesota Capitol next week. With fewer than six weeks before the required legislative adjournment, packages of policy and spending measures will set the tone for the end-of-session negotiations that aren’t all that far off. What’s still in play and what has taken a back seat? How prickly will those floor debates get? MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with two leaders of the Minnesota House of Representatives to talk about session priorities. Later in the program, we continue our conversations with candidates running for Congress in Minnesota’s 2nd District. Republican Eric Pratt will discuss his bid in that congressional district. Guests: DFL Rep. Jamie Long of Minneapolis.Republican Rep. Harry Niska of Ramsey.Eric Pratt is a Republican senator for Prior Lake and a candidate for 2nd Congressional District.Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR NewsPeter Cox, correspondent for MPR News Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

50 min
APR 3

Politics Friday: 3 congressional candidates vying for their party's endorsement

Minnesota’s eight U.S. House seats don’t change hands all that often, but after November’s midterm election one seat certainly will. The state’s 2nd Congressional District will have a new representative come January 2027. Democratic incumbent, Rep. Angie Craig, is running for the open U.S. Senate and will leave the House after four terms. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst speaks with candidates about why they’re the best Democrat to serve the district that runs from the suburbs down into southern Minnesota farm towns.

49 min
MAR 27

Politics Friday: Mike Lindell 'all in' for Minnesota's governor's race with Trump backing or not

Local party conventions around Minnesota are shaping top political races. Delegates are being selected for the state endorsing conventions at the end of May. So candidates are making the rounds — especially for Minnesota’s open U.S. Senate seat and an open governor’s race. Democrats will be trying to hang onto the seats, while Republicans will be trying to break a statewide election dry spell. The GOP has a very competitive race for the governor spot on the ballot. House Speaker Lisa Demuth and businessman Kendall Qualls are part of a top tier of hopefuls. But MyPillow founder Mike Lindell contends he is too. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst talks with Lindell about his governor campaign. Also, the Senate made a significant rule change this week that could make public service more attractive to candidates with young families. We’ll hear from the lawmakers who pushed for change in the Senate. Plus, a recap from this week at the Capitol as the Legislature adjourns for a week-long recess. Guests: Mike Lindell is the founder of MyPillow and a Republican candidate running for Minnesota governor. Clay Masters is the host All Things Considered for MPR News.Dana Ferguson is a political correspondent for MPR News.Peter Cox is a correspondent for MPR News.

51 min
MAR 20

Politics Friday: Consumer safeguards gain bipartisan support at the Capitol

The first big deadline for action in the 2026 legislative session is quickly approaching at the Capitol. While committee hearings will be churning at full steam next week, a number of bills are delayed or stuck in the tied Minnesota House. But there’s an area where measures have fielded bipartisan support: consumer protection. Legislation is on the march that deals with the prices people pay, defenses against scams and recourses available if they’ve been ripped off. MPR News politics editor Brian Bakst and his guests assess what consumer protection bills might make it into law this year. Later in the program, a check-in with the top state economic development official about paid leave, artificial intelligence and all that’s changing our interactions with the workplace. Guests: DFL Rep. Erin Koegel of Spring Lake Park Republican Sen. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus FallsMatt Varilek, commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development. Dana Ferguson, political correspondent for MPR NewsPeter Cox, correspondent for MPR News Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation or subscribe to the Politics Friday podcast on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or RSS.

50 min

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4.5

out of 5

41 Ratings

Great source of local news

04/18/2016

Goranger22

This is a great way of staying knowledgeable about local news
Martin Sabo

03/21/2016

tripj1972

Thank you for including the Martin Sabo interview in Friday's show
Informative

12/12/2011

iloveflynn

It's incredibly informative. And balanced.
Informative

03/21/2008

art_freak1234356

All of the news you need to know what is REALLY going on in local and national news. The stuff balinda skims past.